Exosphere, Holler and Shards go for glory in the first Group One race of the season for three-year-olds in Australia, the De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Stakes, over seven furlongs at Rosehill Gardens, Australia, on Saturday, September 12.
Time/Date - 15.45hrs local time/Saturday, September 12, 2015
Racecourse/Country - Rosehill Gardens/Australia
Surface/Distance - Turf/7f
Exosphere, Holler and Shards go for glory in the first Group One race of the season for three-year-olds in Australia, the De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Stakes, over seven furlongs at Rosehill Gardens, Australia, on Saturday, September 12.
All three colts are trained by John O'Shea with Exosphere (James McDonald) having quickened strongly for a length and a quarter success over Press Statement in the six-furlong Group Two MTA NSW The Run To The Rose at the same course on August 29.
Exosphere was last in the Group One Toohey's Golden Slipper over six furlongs at Rosehill Gardens in March but the son of Lonhro recorded an impressive four-length success in the Group Two Pro-Ride Skyline Stakes, also over six furlongs, at Warwick Farm in February.
Holler (Sam Clipperton) was third to Exosphere in the MTA NSW The Run To The Rose and the Commands colt made two appearances as a juvenile, both over five and a half furlongs at Royal Randwick, including a comfortable debut victory in January.
Shards (Joao Moreira) made a winning reappearance when running on strongly to take the Group Three Up And Coming Stakes over six and a half furlongs at Royal Randwick on August 22.
The son of Medaglia d'Oro ran three times last season, ending his campaign with a comfortable handicap win over just shy of seven furlongs at Rosehill Gardens in June.
John O'Shea reported: "There is a slight query for Exosphere on the firmer ground over 1,400 metres but his preparation has been excellent and I can't fault the horse. It is a small field and I believe there are only a couple of real chances in the race of which he is one.
"Holler has made dramatic improvement since his first-up run. He will roll to the front and give a good account of himself. He is in great order and probably still has some improvement to come in terms of his overall fitness but I couldn't be happier with him going into this race.
"Shards has had a good week, has worked well and looks like he maps well to get a good run in the race. He will probably be better suited over a bit further but he definitely warrants his participation in this race."
The Godolphin trio meet five rivals including Press Statement and multiple Group Two scorer Speak Fondly.
